Tuesday, August 18, 2009Last Update: 10:49 AM PT

No Spanish, But Hebrew Was OK, Woman Says

By JAMIE ROSS

PHOENIX (CN) - A woman says a Jewish community center fired her after ordering her not to speak Spanish to her clients or on the telephone, though employees were allowed to speak Portuguese and Hebrew. Vanessa Santiago says the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center retaliated for her complaints of discrimination by refusing to allow her to apply for a promotion. Santiago was an exercise instructor. In her federal complaint, Santiago says her boss harassed and discriminated against her, demanding her "green card" and telling her "the only reason persons of Puerto Rican heritage come to the mainland is to get food stamps and beer." Santiago says she complained about the harassment and was fired in retaliation. Santiago is represented by James M. Jellison.